Immobile banks 'not our problem' say BoS

BANK customers' tempers – already sizzling this summer through branch closures and erratic mobile services – have flared up to new heights in the strath with more no-shows.

Customers waiting for the Bank of Scotland mobile van on Tuesday were left hanging around outside the Duke of Gordon Hotel yet again.

Furious customer, Liz Edmondson, of Kingussie, said it was the "last straw". She had rang the bank only to be told: "This is not a banking problem. It's mechanical."

She said: "Of course the van breaking down is a banking problem. It certainly is to this community."

Staff at the Duke of Gordon had been advised early in the day that the van, due in town for the entire morning, would not be appearing. One hotel worker said: "We suggested it was time they gave us a sign to put out now."

Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry (SNP) said: "It didn't take long for all the promises of a reliable mobile banking service to prove to be empty.

"I have spent most of my time in the strath this week and the issues with both RBS and Bank of Scotland mobile bank services was raised with me by countless folk. Hardly the lack of demand these banks would have us believe.

"I have written to both banks asking for an urgent meeting with them to discuss the many issues we are experiencing with mobile banks and their failure to live up their promises of a smooth and reliable service.

"It is not acceptable for that people are left waiting for the mobile bank to show up, only to then be told by bank staff that it's not a banking issue when they call to complain."

A Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, due to a separate mechanical error, our Longman mobile branch service was unable to travel to Kingussie on Tuesday. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers.

"We will treat this issue as a priority."